Attachment for bath-tubs



(No Model.) v

R. A. 00X. j ATTACHMBNT POR BATH TUBS.

No. 585,086. Patented June 22,1897.

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UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE.

ROMULUS A. COX, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

ATTACHMENT FOR BATH-TUBS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 585,086, dated June 22, 1897. Application filed August 3, 1896- Serial No- 601,509. (No model.)

To all whom, it 777,05 concern:

Be it known that I, ROMULUS A. COX, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Attachments for Bath-Tubs, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in attachments for bathtubs, and has for its object to provide a novel construction of device whereby the person using the tub may readily and easily apply soap to his back, vigorously rub the same, and afterward remove the soap, thus affording a simple means for cleansing that portion of the body in a most thorough and efficient manner.

A further object of my invention is to provide a means for removing the rubbing-surface and replacing it with a fresh clean surface, thus offering no obstacle to the use of the same tub and attachment by different persons.

These objects I accomplish in the manner and by the means hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of a bath-tub embodying my improved construction. Fig. 2 is a transverse section of the tub, showing the base-plate or backing in position. Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of the base-plate or backing, showing one means for attaching the rubbing-surface to said plate.

In the said drawings the re ference-numeral 1 denotes the body of an ordinary bath-tub, having one of its ends inclined at 2 in the usual manner to provide a support for the back of the user. This end 2 of the tub is provided with a recess or depression 3 on its inner surface, the same preferably extending from near the top to within a short distance of the bottom of the tub and being of a wid th substantially equal to the width of the back of a person of the ordinary size, the surface of said recess or depression corresponding to the usual curved contour of the end 2 of the tub. It will be understood that the recess or depression is formed in the tub during its processof manufacture, and that the tub may be formed or cast of any suitable material. Within this recess or depression is adapted to fit snugly, but removably, a plate 4, of some heavy but malleable material, such as lead, the same being preferably provided with a series of holes 5, through which may be passed threads or other devices for the purpose of attaching to the exposed face of said plate 4 a rubbing-surface 6 of crash, toweling, or other suitable meterial. A desirable form of attachment may be by lacing the thread through the crash and holes 5 in the manner similar .to a corset or shoe lacing, or, if desired, a

brush may be attached to the plate in any suitable manner, the particular character of rubbing-surface forming no essential feature of my invention.

From the above description the operation of my improved device will be understood to be as follows: A person Wishing to use the tub will apply to the plate or backing at the desired rubbing-surface 6 and place the same in the recess or depression 3, the malleability of said plate permitting it to be readily pressed into the shape corresponding with the contour of the said recess or depression and its weight naturally tending to keep it in place without the use of any fastening devices. hen the tub is filled with water, the same is ready for use, and the occupant by applying soap to the rubbing-surface 6 may transfer the same to his back by bracing his feet against the opposite end ofthe tub and moving his body up and down against the rubbing-surface, as will be readily understood. When the washing operation is completed, the device may be removed from the tub to dry or for the purpose of removing the used rubbing-surface from the backing and applying a fresh one thereto.

WVhile I have described the use of lead as the substance of which the base-plate or backing is preferably to be composed, it will be understood that I do not limit myself to the use of such material, as any other substance possessing sufficient weight to remain in position will serve the desired purpose.

Having thus described my invention, What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. In a bath-tub, the combination with the inclined end thereof having a flangeless recess or depression in its inner surface, of a removable plate located in said recess or depression, and a rubbing-surface attached to the exposed face of said plate, substantially as set forth.

2. In a bath-tub, the combination with the inclined end thereof having a flangeless recess or depression in its inner surface, of a removable plate located in said recess or depression, and a rubbing-surface detachably fastened to the exposed face of said plate, substantially as set forth.

3. In a bathtub, the combination with the inclined end thereof having a flangeless recess or depression in its inner surface, of a 

